Aineias Chilas, Stylianos Kalemis, and Vangelis Dimitris are originally from Greece. In November 2022, however, a dream came true for the three of them in Switzerland. They opened their long-awaited bar right in the heart of Zurich. They called them “Late Bloomers.” Good things take time, and better late than never – that's what the name is meant to suggest.

When you work as a bartender, you always dream of having your own place.

– Aineias Chilas

But just four years after opening, the three of them achieve something they themselves would never have expected. They made it onto the very first list of “Europe’s 50 Best Bars” – as the only bar in Switzerland. As surprising as the award was, and as grateful as they are for the honor, they remain humble. “Ultimately, our job is to make our guests happy. Life, our day-to-day routine at the bar, goes on.” It’s exactly this down-to-earth attitude that makes these three talented bartenders so likable.

Like a big hug

Stylianos and Vangelis met when they were children; Aineias met Vangelis later in Switzerland. Stylianos describes the bar's atmosphere as a kind of big hug – a warm feeling that guests should experience as soon as they walk in. “The way you greet and welcome people is crucial. We want our guests to immediately feel at home, as if they’ve arrived at a place where they belong,” adds Vangelis. “We’re also focused on bringing people together and showing the community: We’ve done it – you can do it, too,” said Aineias.

Switzerland is our home.

– Vangelis Dimitris

That is another reason why the three of them focus not only on their own success, but also on the development of the Swiss bar scene as a whole. Vangelis emphasizes how grateful they are to be able to work and live in Switzerland today. "Switzerland is our home now," he says. The industry is constantly evolving, and the balance between work, quality, and life is becoming increasingly important.

Stylianos also notes that guests are consuming more consciously: Precisely because so many things are becoming more expensive and more sophisticated, many people are specifically seeking out quality and experiences that truly leave a lasting impression. Aineias is convinced that the Swiss hospitality and restaurant scene is only just beginning to gain international recognition: “I’m sure that in the near future, many more people from the global industry will want to experience Swiss cuisine.”

Alpine Herbs Meet the Aegean

The "Late Bloomers" drinks combine Mediterranean lightness with Swiss ingredients and contemporary bar culture. The menu is updated twice a year, with seasonality playing a key role. "From the very beginning, the focus has been on Mediterranean drinks with a Swiss twist," says Aineias. The ingredients used include herbs from the Swiss Alps, regional ingredients, and products that grow in this country. One of their most famous cocktails was named Switzerland's best cocktail in 2023 – created with mountain tea from the Swiss Alps and golden lemon balm from the Entlebuch Biosphere Reserve.

Athens is currently experiencing a golden age of the cocktail scene—and that's what inspired us.

– Stylianos Kalemis

Low-waste practices also play a role, as far as possible. "We think in terms of an ecosystem," says Aineias. Stylianos adds that there is significantly more work behind many drinks than meets the eye: various techniques are used, including some from the kitchen. The result should still feel light and approachable – drinks with many layers, but without feeling heavy.

The “Late Bloomers” have long been making their mark on the scene even beyond their own bar: with guest shifts at other bars, vinyl sets behind the DJ booth, and a presence that has earned them the nickname “Vibe Managers.” They prove that a bar doesn't have to be loud to get noticed. Sometimes all it takes is a big hug – and a lot of patience. The name says it all.